Controlled release acrylic polymer coated granular pesticidal compositions with attendant reduced dermal toxicity

DETAILED DESCRIPTION We claim: 1.
A solid particulate composition comprising particles of an inert sorptive or non-sorptive carrier impregnated or coated with a pesticidally effective amount of a phosphorus pesticide which is 2-(diethoxyphosphinylimino)-1,3-dithiolane, 2-(diethoxyphosphinylimino)-4-methyl-1,3-dithiolane or 2-(diethoxyphosphinylimino)-1,3-diethietane and wherein the impregnated or coated carrier is coated with a finely divided sorptive substrate and an acrylic polymer selected from the group consisting of a (1) hard, thermoplastic acrylic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.
75 dl/g to 3.
1 dl/g at 30.
degree.
C.
in tetrahydrofuran, (2) hard, self-crosslinking thermoplastic acrylic polymers having an intrinsic viscosity of from 1.
0 dl/g to 2.
0 dl/g at 30.
degree.
C.
in dimethylformamide and (3) acrylic polymers having an intrinsic viscosity of from 0.
05 dl/g to 0.
1 dl/g at 30.
degree.
C.
in butanol, wherein the thus-obtained composition is characterized by decreased mammalian dermal toxicity and sustained pesticidal activity.
2.
The composition according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is attapulgite, montomorillonite clays, brick chips, pumice, talc, volcanic cinders, corncob grits, sand and limestone chips in amounts ranging from 62% to 94% by weight of the overall composition; and when a sorptive carrier is selected, a deactivator selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, di-, tri-, tetraethylene glycol and mixtures thereof is incorporated in the composition in amounts ranging from 3% to 6%, by weight, of total composition to neutralize the intrinsic acidity of the carrier, provided that the percent by weight amount is lowered with an amount equal to that of the deactivator employed; the pesticide being in amounts ranging from 2% to 25%, by weight of the composition; and wherein a sorptive substrate is a calcined clay, diatomaceous earth, calcium silicate, fumed silica or fumed silica which has been made hydrophobic by replacement of most of the hydrophilic hydroxyl groups which populate the surface of the silica with trimethylsiloxyl groups in amounts ranging from 0